Doha Declaration focus on common market

Doha: Heads of states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries held the concluding session of their 28th summit here on Tuesday under chairmanship of Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar.

President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who headed the UAE delegation to the Doha summit, attended the session.

Abdul Rahman Bin Hamad Al Atiyyah, Secretary General of the GCC read out the Doha Declaration , which included launch of the GCC Common Market (GCM) with effect from early 2008, in line with the objectives of the GCC.

The GCM aims at strengthening cooperation among member countries to achieve full coordination and integration in all fields. Moreover, the GCM will boost the GCC economies in the light of international developments, which require full-fledged integration to bolster negotiation position and competitiveness in the global economy.

The Doha Declaration stated that the GCM is set for finding unified market through which the GCC nationals will benefit from available opportunities. It will open wide avenues for inter-gulf and foreign investments.

At the closing session, Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed, of oman, commended on the positive resolutions of the 28th summit, stating that "the GCC body will continue unabated to provide shelter and security so that we achieve future ambitions of our people".

He thanked the Emir of Qatar for his effort to make the summit a success, indicating that the Sultanate of Oman is looking forward to hosting the next GCC summit. Qaboos also thanked Al Atiyyah and his deputies for their efforts.

The Emir of Qatar expressed his pleasure about the brotherly spirit which dominated the deliberations at the summit, adding that it stemmed from 'our belief about unity and common destiny'.

"What is achieved in this summit reflects determination of the GCC to proceed ahead with a strong will to achieve a better future', he said.

Shaikh Hamad thanked the GCC leaders, delegations, secretary general Of the GCC and all officials at the general secretariat for leading the summit into success.

He hoped that the GCC leaders would meet at the next summit in Oman.

Shaikh Hamad later saw off the GCC leaders, who attended the summit.